Malaysia: Inflation climbs in August but remains muted
Consumer prices increased 0.2% month-on-month in August, slightly higher than July’s increase of 0.1%. August’s reading was driven by higher prices for housing and fuel, as well as health and education costs.
In year-on-year terms, consumer prices increased 1.5% in August, marginally higher than July’s 1.4% jump. Inflation has risen in recent months as the impact of last year’s zero-rating of the goods and services tax fades. Going forward, price pressures should increase slightly due to the weakening of the ringgit so far this year, the Bank’s recent monetary easing and robust domestic demand.